The East Boston Chamber of Commerce first informed City Councilor Sal LaMattina, Chairperson of the Council?s Transportation Committee, in mid-2008 of the large volume of neighborhood parking issues being logged by the Chamber from local business owners. Working with Councilor LaMattina and Boston Transportation Department (BTD) Commissioner Thomas Tinlin, the Chamber hosted a forum in early 2009 at Maverick Landing, where business owners shared their stories and expressed their concerns.
Two months ago, the Chamber invited Commissioner Tinlin to take part in a walking tour of the neighborhood?s business districts; he welcomed the opportunity. Several BTD representatives led by Commissioner Tinlin, along with Chamber President Angelo Vigliotta, Jr., Chamber director John Dudley, East Boston Main Street director Clark Moulaison, and Janet Knott from the Office of Councilor LaMattina, took to each of the four major East Boston business districts ? Central, Day, Maverick, and Orient Heights Squares.
The group made stops at several merchants in each square and took notes. Several issues were identified by the Chamber: these issues have been already, or are in the process of, being addressed by BTD. Included in this list were: a problematic, dangerous intersection at the corner of Bremen and Maverick Streets, which had no stop signs, unclear parking signage, and potential for increased customer parking; a lack of two-hour visitor limits along Meridian Street, to turn over parking for merchants? customers; faded commercial signage in Day Square; and need for increased parking enforcement in sections of Central Square and Orient Heights. ?The Chamber would like to thank Commissioner Tinlin and Councilor LaMattina for their time and concern for our business community.
They are helping us create a setting that will make it easier for our members and other businesses to operate and satisfy customers," said Chamber President Angelo Vigliotta, Jr. "We will continue to work closely with them moving forward," he added. For more information on the East Boston Chamber of Commerce, please call 617-569-5000 or visit www.EastBostonChamber.com.
Commissioner Thomas Tinlin and staff join Chamber members and representatives from Councilor Sal LaMattina?s office and East Boston Main Streets in Day Square. Photo 271: Chamber President Angelo Vigliotta, Jr., with Commissioner Thomas Tinlin and BTD staff in Maverick Square.
Chamber President Angelo Vigliotta, Jr., with Commissioner Thomas Tinlin and BTD staff in Maverick Square. 
